The moon .... and me

Sunday evening as I looked out to the sky there it was...another magnificent full moon. I have and probably always will be fascinated by the moon. Every night I look to see where it is and what it looks like and then wonder.... many thoughts.  Right now, however, I am wondering what the day will bring.
We are once again in a "cool down" as the temps will be in the low 100s this week. There are several wildfires already in full swing here in Arizona and the Monsoon season has begun. No matter where you live there are seasonal happenings. We learn to live and adjust to them.
Yesterday was spent with stitching....On The Range

The left edge is almost finished except for the beads of course. They are the last to be added. I had a bit of an issue with the red star in the lower corner... a few Xs were not correct so out they came and back in correctly they went. It was a quiet day around the abode. On the weekends the jets from Luke AF base do not fly and coincidently the birds seemed to take a quiet day also. Very little action at the Pond Garden and fountain. It was a quiet day around the abode.
I did pack up over 80 DVDs...some of them sets … and moved my photos boxes onto the top shelf. Next will be the CDs. I am probably still one of the few who play CDs. Although I watch Netflix, I still like my DVDs too. Just an old fashioned gal I guess.
Stitching and reading have been slow  recently as I am having blurred vison issues especially in my left eye. I know, get it checked. Along with the other this and that that needs attention.  A few issues will be taken care of when The Brother Alan is here as I will need a driver.... as in when they dilate the eyes! I actually dread that. It takes hours for my vision to return to normal. Always something... in "these golden years"!
Well, that is about it for me today. Off to finish the chores because those House Faeries still have not reported for duty; then back to my Mill Hill stitching. It will be a me day. Glad to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and or your friendship. 

A green star and more rain??

In  some states schools are cancelled due to snow--- in Arizona some schools were cancelled due to rain and flooding...crazy. Several roads were closed and under passes flooded. The rain fell most of yesterday and for a time I even had the door open. The weather forecast is possibilities for more rain this afternoon. Would be nice if it holds off until I return from my hair appointment. I do not like to drive in the rain. I love the sound of rain and along with it....

the sound of jets leaving Luke Air force base were also heard. Later they returned flying low over the house.... another sound that I like. I stayed home relaxing and working on finishing

my green star. Pleased with how it turned out and each one is better than the last. Tomorrow the beads arrive (hopefully) for the Santa star, a different style pattern that I hope to be able to read and bead. Although the way of making these 3D stars is the same the designers write the patterns differently. I also found an ornament pattern for panels to cover a 3 inch ornament ball with Nutcrackers and one with cardinals. Not sure if they will be attempted at this time. Now I need another cup of coffee to get on with my morning. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for your kind words. Most of all, thank you for your friendship.

A rainy day all over Arizona

We do need the rain but over the entire state all at once!? The storm off the coast of California is what is happening here in Arizona.

Gloomy morning skies are a big change from the sunshine. Rain drops cover my palm tree and fill the birdbath. Flash flood warnings are out … luckily I do not live in a flood area but there is flooding on the roadways everywhere. The news is full of pictures of the roadways and highways flooding.  I do not plan to leave the comfort of my home today. The fighter jets from Luke Air Force base are flying overhead.... rain does not keep them down. Love the sounds of rain and jets.

I will be finishing this shiny green star today. The parts were ready but I put it aside to work on the Stain Glass Rose Star. The pretty pink star was brought to mother Eva P by The Brother Alan when he returned to RI. She loves it. This will be for my tree.... yes I do try to keep some things for me. I am waiting for the beads to arrive to make a Santa star.... tracking tells me the package will arrive on Thursday. So that will be a possibility for the weekend. I also want to try those denim feathers. Of course I still have not tried removing the water system from the kitchen faucet or getting the kitchen light to work. My priorities are elsewhere.
Guess that about covers the happenings around here.....very happy to share my day with you. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind thoughts and of course thank you for your friendship.

Bidzii and Doli

Saturday Mr H and I took a ride into Carefree, had lunch and a few things came home with us.

Meet Bidzii (he) and Doli (she) they are Navajo made by Joann Silversmith. They needed a home instead of living at Gilbert Ortega's place on a shelf. I love shopping there. I also found this ornament which will remain out year round

I am not sure if you can see it well, but it has a silver bear which is a symbol for strength and courage. Also believe to ward off ill health. Sure could use that around here. We had lunch at what was a favorite place, now under new ownership and we will not be returning. Oh well. We enjoy walking through the cactus garden there. All in all a nice afternoon. How about an update on the Dove couple? Well, finally the last one left the nest and those two are at it again! I catch them courting and she is spending time back in the nest! Very amorous they are. Just lucky that Dennis is not planting in that pot. Today the jets from Luke Air Force Base are returning from their weekend maneuvers and the sounds although loud, it does not bother us in the least. Love these F167 andF35s and we enjoy going to the field and watching them take off and land. They are so low you can see the pilots clearly! Ahh....beautiful morning.The doors are open and the day is already getting warm with temps expected to be in the high 80s again today.  I have been tatting and giving my eyes still some rest from the cross stitch. Hope this week to get back to Alice. Thank you for the sweet comments on the Blogger of the Week interview. (last post). Time to fold the laundry and have another cup of coffee. Glad to chat with you. Thank you for all the kind words and for your friendship. Have a wonderful day.

Just a flower from the garden at Carefee...my favorite color.

A wonderful week

Warning: lots of pictures!
Oh my...a bit tired today and a bit sad....The Brother Alan returned home. We had a marvelous week (we always have a good time). It was special to have him celebrate my 69th birthday. First lets start with what we did. You already know about the horseback riding (Friday) that we did...Alan, Lisa and me. Mr H was not able to join us on the ride but did come along for the rest of the day. On the Thursday we went to see the Michelangelo exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum...wonderful drawings that are on tour the first time out of Italy.

just one of many. It was fascinating to see that he drew more than one sketch on a paper. Once even on the reverse side of a letter. I did purchase a book covering his works. On Saturday we left Mr H home as he was not feeling too well (he is fine, just one of the days) and after Lisa got her 2 pair of cowgirl boots...

we of course went for a Margarita Lunch at Arriba's!

Just look at the size of this drink....not to worry, I also had a delicious salad. Sunday was a quiet relaxing day. Monday was shopping at Scottsdale Old Town. Tuesday we took a ride to Luke Air Force Base ..and we were able to catch the F35's for take off and landing...quite a sight and sound!

We parked just at the landing field....it is quite an experience to have them fly so low and right over you.

You can actually see the pilot! I always find it exciting. We could also see the take off across the field. It was a bit cold and windy but we enjoyed it nevertheless.  This brings us to Wednesday, my birthday. Alan and Lisa made arrangements for dinner at The Arrowhead Grill.... what a dinner. Just a perfect meal. Look at the size and lovely presentation of these shrimp!



They were the most delicious and oh so big! Our steaks were cooked to perfection and melted in our mouths. The wine was excellent. Then came my surprise...

A lovely birthday desert. They wrote my greetings in decadent chocolate! An unbelievable celebration. Alan and Lisa were leaving us at 1PM on Thursday, so it was a relaxing morning sitting out on the lanai. They certainly spoiled me and gave me a special evening. I did warn you there would be lots of pictures....hope you enjoyed sharing my week. I worked on a Hardanger project that will mark this birthday. That is about it. I will post the recipient of my Un-Birthday gift on Sunday. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and for your treasured friendship. Have a great day.



Not much stitching

One thing starts then before you know it, another thing starts and then what you planned to do does not happen. That sort of describes yesterday. Not much stitching at all. I managed to organize a few things in the sewing room. I did get laundry done and a few things in the garage cupboard organized but no sewing. Mr H suggested we take a ride toward Luke Air Force Base which is about 10 miles west of us. So off we went. It was hot, around 89 in the blazing sun as we sat hoping to catch sight of a take off or 2......

 The sound of a roar and then over our heads it flew...the F-35 in all it's glory. A magnificent jet. The sound was not only loud, but the car shook and my could feel it in my bones. In all we watched 4 take
off. I know the picture is not the greatest, but it was what I could get when my hands were not shaking form the vibrations. I love the sounds as they fly over my home; but not everyone does. They are much higher so the noise/vibrations are much less. Why people complain is beyond me; they moved here knowing the base is here and it was here much longer than homes were. Anyway, after leaving we stopped for lunch for pizza and salad then onto Lowes for plants to fill a few pots. By then, stitching was not on my mind. I will be off to the Post Office to mail out The Brother Alan's sewing box this morning then to a meeting then....hopefully then, I will give some attention to Red Riding Hood.  I have just washed a yard piece of white terry cloth that I will be using as a lining in an apron top. I plan to make on Sunday so I can get it into the mail Monday or so. Gues that about covers things for today. It has been so nice to have you visit with me.... thank you for the kind words and of course your friendship. Enjoy your day.